He said Ahmad should have waited until Kedah Umno issue an official statement on support for the Prime Minister after a meeting of Kedah Umno leaders in the federal capital on April 24.

“We agreed not to issue any statement (before April 24). We want to issue a statement based on consensus of all members of Kedah Umno liaison. Ahmad Lebai was overzealous when he made that remark,” he told reporters after closing the Integrity Global Champions programme here, yesterday.

On Sunday, Ahmad Lebai urged Mukhriz, who is also Kedah Umno chairman, to quit the post of Menteri Besar if he failed to support the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Mukhriz said the views of all parties should be taken into account before issuing any official statement about support for the prime minister and hopes that all parties wait until April 24.

“It is only 10 days away. The meeting yesterday considered the views of all parties and that is why Kedah Umno deferred from issuing an official statement.

Asked about Ahmad’s threat to call a special meeting without Mukhriz to discuss support for Najib if Mukhriz keeps silent, he said: “I pray that Allah give Ahmad Lebai good health and guidance.

The issue of support for Najib followed unrelenting attacks by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Since then, many parties have come forward to pledge their support for Najib’s leadership and administration. — Bernama